Convertible seat and table



Dec. 6, M Ross CONVERTIBLE SEAT AND TABLE Filed March 9, 1931 Patented Dec. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES NANINE ROSS, OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA CONVERTIBLE SEAT AND TABLE Application filed March 9,

This invention relates to a seat and table structure, and relates more particularly to a device that is convertible from a pair of seats or benches into a pair of seats having a table between them.

An object of the persent invention is to provide a device that includes two like units, each having a seat and a back, the backs of the two units being operable to positions where they are in abutment to form a table bet-ween the two seats.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned that may be easily and quickly converted from two benches into spaced seats and a table, and vice versa.

It is another object of the invention to provide a convertible table and seat device of the character mentioned in which the table formed by the backs of the seats or benches is at a convenient height and is centrally spaced between the seats so as to be conveniently and readily accessible to persons occupying the seats.

. venient and comfortable to use.

Other objects and features of my invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of the construct-ion, illustrating the backs or table sections in position where they form a table between two spaced seats. Fig. 2 is an end view of the device, being a view taken as indicated by line 22 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical view of one end portion of the structure, being a view taken as indicated by line 33 on Fig. 1. Fig. & is an end elevation of one of the units, illustrating a section of a back member in a down position to provide a space between the table and seat. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the back in the inclined position at the rear of the 1931. Serial No. 521,098.

seat. Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 66 on Fig. 2.

The convertible combination seat and table device provided by the present invention is adapted to be embodied in forms suitable for use in various situations, for example, it may 7 be constructed in forms for use in gardens, parks, etc., and in forms for use in dwellings, ships, and similar situations where space is more or less limited. Throughout the following detailed disclosure, the invention will be described in a simple form that may be considered as suitable for use in gardens, parks, resorts, etc. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be taken as restricted to the particular form about to be described, but is to be taken as including any features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The convertible construction provided by my invention includes, generally, two like units A and B, each unit including a bench or seat 10, and a shiftable back or table section 11.

The seat 10 of each unit includes ends or end supports 12, and a seat board 13. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, the supports or ends 12 of the seats 10 may be varied considerably in character. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, each seat end 12 is an integral casting having a Webbed and reinforced foot or base flange 14. An inwardly projecting horizontal flange 15 is provided along the upper edge of each seat end 12. An opening 16 may be provided in each support or end 12 to lighten the construction. A transverse or horizontal Web 17 extends across each opening 16, and a vertical web or rib 18 extends upwardly from each web 17 to the upper ends of the opening 16. The ends or supports 12 at each end of the unit are connected by a rod 19. The rod 19 may be at tached to the seat ends 12 at the points of juncture of the webs 17 and ribs 18.

The seat 13 is shown as a flat horizontal member extending between and supported on the horizontal flanges 15 of the seat ends 12. The seat proper or seat board 13 may be attached to the flanges by suitable screws 20, or the like. It will be obvious that the seat may be formed of various materials and that it may be shaped or fashioned to make it comfortable. Spaced corner braces 21 extend between the inner side of eachseat end 12 and the lower side of the seat board 13. The backs "11 of the-units and B are shiftably or pivotally mounted on the seats 10 so as to be operable between positionsat the rear edges of the seat boards 13 where they form hacks for the seats, and horizontal positions where their inner edges are in abutment and where they form a table between the spaced seats. The units A and B arepreferably arranged in parallelism on a horizontal support and are spaced apart as illustrated in the drawings. Each shiftable back ,11 includes end sections or members 22 pivotally attached to the seat ends 12, and a back support or table section 23 extending between the end members 22. In the particular form of the invention shown in the drawing, the end members 22 of the backs 11 are in the form of unitary or integral castings. The forward and lower corners of the end members 22 are pivotally connected to the seat ends 12 at points adjacent the upper and forward corners of the seat ends. Each end member'22 is pivotally connected with a seat support 12 by a pivot pin or bolt 24. Each bolt'24 extends through an opening in a boss 25 on the inner side ofa seat support 12 and an opening in a boss'26 on the inner side of an end member 22. A wing is provided on each end member 22 at the outer side of a seat support 12 to strengthen and lend rigidity to the assembly. The wings 40 project rearwardly from the points of pivotal connection of'the seats and backs. An inwardly projecting flange 27 is .provided on each end member 22 to engage the upper side of the seat board 13 tosupport the back board 23 in an inclined position at the rear edge of the seat board, as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing; An inwardly projecting flange 28 is provided onthe inner side of each end member 22 of the back to carry the back board 23. The flanges 28 are angularly disposed relative to the supporting flanges 2'? andjoin or connect with the outer ends ofthe flanges 27. Curved reinforcing or strengthening webs 29 extend between. the inner ends of the flanges 27 and the outer .ends

of the flanges 28.

The back board or table section 23 0f each unit is a flat rectangular member formed of wood-or any other suitable material and is attached to the flanges 28 of the spaced end members 22. The back boards or table section 23 may be formed of wood and maybe attached to the flanges 28 by screws 30. The longitudinal edges of the back boards 23 of the two units A and B are preferably straight and normal to the upper and lower surfaces and outwardly fromthe' outer'edges of the seat boards 13. The back boards or table sections 23 connect the end members 22 so that "the back units'1 1 are readily handled or .shifted.; ;.-The backs 11 are adapted to be pivoted or swung forwardly to the positions illustrated, in Figs..2 and 4 of the drawing so that the inner or upper edges of the boards 23 come into abutment to support the backs 11 in positions where the boards 23 are horizontal to form'a table betweenthe spaced seats 10.

Stop means is provided for limiting the forward movement of the members 22. The ends ofthe seat. boards 13 overhang the seat supports 12,- and stop flanges 41 are provided on the inner sides of the members22 to limit forward movement of the backs. The two backs 11 are constructed and related so that the back boards or table sections 23 are in direct horizontal register or alignment and are centrally disposed between the spaced seats 10 when in the positions to form the table. The tabletop formed when the device is posi tioned, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is long enough so that several devices can be'arranged end to end to make a long,continuous table.

Suitable latches may be provided for releasablyholding the backs 11 in the positions where the boards 23 .form. the table between the spaced seats 10. Each releasable latch forholdingtheseats 11in the up or-co-operative positions to form the table may include an arm 31 pivotedto an end member 22 of one of the units to foo-operate with a socket 32 on the opposing end member22-of the other unit.

If desired or found practical, one end member 22 of the construction may be formed of two sections or parts-33 and 34. The part 33 of the end member 22 may be released from the part 34 so that it may be swung clownwardly to the position. shown in Fig. 4 to permit a person or persons to passxbetween the table and seat :10. The part 33'is pivotally attached to the seat 10 by a bolt 24, as described above. The l-ineofzdivision or separation of the parts33 and 34 is curvedabout the pivotal center .of the end. member 22 so that the section 33 may be readily swung downwardly to-a position at the outer side of the seatbase 12. The wing 40 of the part 33 is reduced in size so as not to obstruct the passage'betw'een the seat'and'back when the part is in the down position illustrated in Fig. 4. The stop flange 41 may be eliminated from the part. 33 sothat it may be freely operated. Suitable meansisprovided forreleasably connecting the'parts 33 and 34. lnthe form ofthe invention illustrated in the drawing, sliding bolt latches 35 are provided at spaced points along the line of separation of the parts 33 and 34 to releasably connect them together. With the construction just described or independent of it, for instance in case the members 23 are forming a table and are supported at one end, a brace 100 may be provided to support the table top from the floor or ground. I have shown support 100 hinged to the floor so that it can be swung into and out of operating position at will. When out of operation the support- 100 is flat on the floor.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the convertible seat and table device provided by the present invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description. It is obvious that the two units A and B may be permanently or rigidly attached to a floor or support in spaced relation, as illustrated in the drawing, so that the backs 11 may co-operate to form a table. However, if found desirable, the two units A and B may be shiftable or slidable from place to place. \Vhen the backs 11 are in the out or normal position where they form backs for the seats 10, the back boards or sections 23 are inclined upwardly and outwardly from the rear edges of the seat boards 13 to form effective back rests or supports for the seats. When it is desired to provide the table between the spaced seats 10, the backs 11 are swung forwardly, or toward one another, so that the inner edges of the back boards or table sections 23 are brought into engagement or abutment. \Vhen the parts are in this position, the two boards 23 are in horizontal alignment to form a continuous table board that is at a convenient height above the seats 10 and centrally spaced between the seats 10 so as to be readily accessible to the persons on the seats 13. The part 33 is releasably connected with the upper part 34: so that it may be readily swung out of position when desired to permit persons to pass into and out of positions on the seat 10. The construction is simple and inexpensive of manufacture and is easily and quickly converted from the spaced bench structures into the seat and table structure. It will be apparent that the parts of this device may be upholstered, or otherwise furnished as desired.

Having described only a typical, preferred form of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device of the character described including two spaced units, each unit including, a horizontal seat, supports for the seat, a back board, end members carrying the back board and pivotally mounted on the supports so that the back board is operable between a position at the rear edge of the seat and ahorizontalpositi'on above the seat, the units being related so that the edges of the back boards are in abutment when the back boards are in horizontal positions, one of said end members of one of the units being sectional and including a section pivotally attached to a support and operable to a position to provide a passa e between the seat and the re mainder of t e said sectional member.

2. A device of the character described includin two spaced units, each unit including, aliorizontal seat, supports for the seat, a back boa-rd, end members carrying the back board and pivotally mounted on the supports so that the back board is operable between a position at the rear edge of the seat and a horizontal position above the seat, the units being related so that the edges of the back boards are in abutment when the back boards are in horizontal positions, one of the said end members of one of the units being sectional and including a section pivotally attached to a support and operable to a down position to provide a passage between the seat and the remainder of the said sectional member and means for releasably holding the section in the normal up position.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name.

NANINE ROSS. 

